Healthy neighborhoods equal a healthy Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids aspires to be a thriving, vibrant city where all residents are able to reach their full potential. In order to reach this goal, we must have healthy neighborhoods. This is why we have chosen to support the work of local nonprofit, Matthew 25. Over the years, we have been encouraged by the continued success of their work. Matthew 25 has proved itself to be an innovative leader in revitalizing Cedar Rapids’ neighborhoods.

Past Matthew 25 projects have included leading the Block by Block flood recovery program that revitalized flood-impacted neighborhoods on the west side of the river. They’ve also created the state’s first urban farm, a tool library and Groundswell, which is the state’s only pay-it-forward cafe. Recently, they’ve also taken a lead role in PATCH, a derecho recovery program supporting struggling homeowners.

Matthew 25’s latest project is Healthy Neighborhoods, a campaign to invest in the Time Check neighborhood. Many may not be aware, but the Time Check neighborhood, located next to the river in northwest Cedar Rapids, continues to have post-flood reinvestment challenges. A six block stretch along Ellis Blvd contains more than forty vacant lots where homes were torn down following the 2008 flood. The area is classified as a food desert, with the only access to food being three convenience stores and three bars.

Working with a team that includes the NW Neighbors Neighborhood Association, residents, the City of Cedar Rapids, local churches, Linn County Public Health, Iowa Legal Aid and local developers, Matthew 25 has been a catalyst of visioning a healthy, vibrant Time Check.

In the next few years, this collaboration will bring major change to the area. The city of Cedar Rapids will be investing heavily in the neighborhood, connecting Sixth Street to Ellis Blvd, adding bike lanes and walkability. Local developers are already building new housing and working on bringing new eateries and other businesses to the area.

As leaders at Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust, Frontier Co-op and Alliant Energy Foundation, we are proud to be investing in the Matthew 25 portion of this project. This investment includes bringing a unique, nonprofit community grocery store to Ellis Blvd and healthy, climate-resilient new homes.

The Cultivate Hope Corner Store will return the historic Hosmer Building to its original purpose of being a neighborhood grocery. For many years, Shaheen’s Sundry supported the diverse working-class neighborhood. In recent years, the former grocery store has been a slowly deteriorating property that was home to a variety of bars. The corner was one of the highest crime areas in Time Check. Matthew 25 purchased the building to rebuild it as a neighborhood asset.

Cultivate Hope Corner Store will be based on successful, small-scale neighborhood nonprofit grocery stores in Boston and Washington, D.C. It will provide fresh, high-quality produce that is reduced-cost, a small portion of which will be free to those in need. The corner store also will sell other dry goods and staples such as milk, eggs and meat. Matthew 25’s Groundswell Café will supply fresh, ready-to-eat meals. There will be a small seating area for dining, coffee meetups and educational programming.

In addition to the corner store, Matthew 25 will invest in the neighborhood through strategic rehabilitation of blighted properties and construction of new homes on vacant lots. The new, future-focused housing will prioritize both health of people and the planet. Homes will be designed and built using sustainable building practices. Whenever possible, the homes will be solar-ready and furnished with energy efficient heating and cooling systems and appliances. Houses will have front porches and yards that encourage community building among neighbors.

Much of this work is being done with support from a $1.4 million capital campaign, which has broad support from a variety of businesses, individuals, civic and faith-based groups. What makes this project most impressive is the dynamic partnership created between nonprofit, private and public sector entities. Combined, it is estimated this team will invest more than $10 million in the Time Check neighborhood over the next five years.

While the last two years have been a challenge, we are excited that Cedar Rapids continues to move forward with efforts to constantly renew our neighborhoods. We’re proud to be partnering with Matthew 25 as a key contributor to the success of our core neighborhoods. We hope you’ll consider joining us by adding your own support to the Healthy Neighborhoods Time Check Campaign.

James Klein is president of Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust. Tony Bedard is CEO of Frontier Co-op. Leah Rodenberg is senior community affairs program manager for the Alliant Energy Foundation.